Categories

To begin your entry, please tick the category/categories below that you would like to enter.

Stage one of the judging process involves judges shortlisting entries based solely on the information you have provided here, so please make sure your entry includes as much evidence as possible.

In stage two, shortlisted entrants will present their entries to a panel of judges for deliberation.

Individual 

Registration is rarely the end of education. This award recognises the importance of nurses continuing to study and develop throughout their career. This can be achieved in a variety of ways – either by studying an academic course or by other methods of continuing professional development (CPD), including online learning. Open to registered nurses in any branch or field of nursing, this award recognises outstanding learning and motivation to continually update knowledge and skills.
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What the judges are looking for?

An exceptional nurse who can demonstrate excellence in:

  • Academic achievement and/or commitment to and passion for continuous professional development 
  • Ability to study independently at a level reflecting commitment, leadership and self-governance
  • Use of reflection and the confidence to question established practice and apply learning to improve it or enrich the evidence base for best practice
  • Skill in appreciating the link between the evidence base and practice 
  • Ability to develop a project that adds to the body of nursing knowledge 
  • Originality in elements of their learning 
  • Appetite for learning and updating clinical expertise and deepening understanding of the theory/practice/evidence base

Please attach any supporting evidence to your application that you feel is relevant. This can include testimonials, mentor or university staff feedback or student evaluations or any other appropriate evidence.

If you are shortlisted for this award, you will be invited to attend our offices to present to the judges. The shortlist will be informed of any changes to the final judging process.


Diversity, equality and inclusion are values that should underpin nursing education. This award aims to recognise a student who has made an exceptional contribution to creating a supportive and inclusive environment for patients and/or other students and staff from diverse backgrounds, for example, black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) or LGBTQ+. They will have demonstrated a clear understanding for the need to support diversity, equality and inclusion, as well as commitment and creativity in promoting it.

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What the judges are looking for?

An exceptional student who demonstrates an outstanding contribution to diversity and inclusion in one or more of the following ways:

  • Enthusiasm for providing compassionate and inclusive nursing 
  • Courage in going the extra mile to help patients navigate through difficulties 
  • Significantly improving care for patients from diverse backgrounds
  • Acting as a role model or ally in promoting and improving diversity and inclusion 
  • Championing the needs of those from diverse backgrounds and ensuring they are met 
  • Innovating to ensure their work and study environment is diverse and inclusive 
  • Entries should consider the Equality Act’s protected characteristics, such as race, and use supporting information available such as the Workforce Race Equality Standard (WRES)

Please attach any supporting evidence to your application that you feel is relevant. This can include testimonials, student feedback or student/university evaluations or any other appropriate evidence.

Please note: This award is open to all students who are currently studying a nursing or midwifery course in the UK or British Crown Dependency. In all cases, your academic institution must support your entry.

If you are shortlisted for this award, you will be invited to attend our offices to present to the judges. The shortlist will be informed of any changes to the final judging process.


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One of our major award categories for students, some would say the biggest of them all. Inspiring others around us is what sets people apart as leaders, innovators and role models. This award recognises a final-year student who has truly inspired their peers or colleagues, either at their higher education institution or while on a placement.

Entrants could have overcome significant obstacles in their personal lives or circumstances to achieve success as a student. Alternatively, they could have contributed to their studies or placement in such a way that has inspired others, for example, by advising, guiding and acting as enablers for junior peers.

In addition, entrants could have worked with a charity, undertaken a personal project or developed an innovation that would benefit health professionals or patients. The effort, work and behaviour of this student nurse will be an inspiration to those around them.
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What the judges are looking for?

An exceptional student who can demonstrate excellence in at least TWO of the following:

  • Motivation to overcome any obstacles to achieve success in their professional life 
  • Contributing to their academic or practice work in a way that inspires peers
  • Contributing to a transformational project or practical work that proves their abilities to inspire and enable others 
  • Working in an innovative way to inspire and motivate those around them 
  • Demonstrating skills and attributes required of being a student nurse or midwife that offers inspiration to others 
  • Acting as a role model to fellow students by demonstrating effort and achievement in academic work or practice 
  • Acting with integrity and enabling fellow students

Please attach any relevant supporting evidence to your application. This can include testimonials, student or mentor or academic staff feedback or student evaluations, or any other appropriate evidence.

Please note: You must be a final-year student nurse to enter this award category. You must be studying in the UK or a British Crown Dependency.

If you are shortlisted for this award, you will be invited to attend our offices to present to the judges on. The shortlist will be informed of any changes to the final judging process.



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Nursing associates are the new role that is fast becoming established in the NHS in England, which bridges the gap between healthcare support workers and registered nurses. This award aims to recognise an outstanding final-year nursing associate trainee and to celebrate their ability to deliver safe, quality hands-on care and support the registered nursing workforce.

Entrants must be able to demonstrate that they can take personal responsibility and work independently within defined parameters of practice, taking the appropriate initiative in a variety of situations and performing a range of clinical skills to deliver high-quality person-centred care.

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What the judges are looking for?

An exceptional final-year nursing associate trainee who can demonstrate excellence in the following:

  • Knowledge of and critical understanding of the established principles in their field of study, with awareness of the limits of their knowledge 
  • Knowledge of the main methods of enquiry in the subject and the ability to use established techniques to undertake critical analysis of information to propose solutions 
  • Ability to critically evaluate the appropriateness of different approaches to solving problems and to apply these in a work context
  • Ability to apply knowledge and skills to new situations, including in the workplace 
  • Effective communication skills in a variety of forms, for a range of audiences 
  • Ability to work as part of a team to deliver high-quality care

Please attach any supporting evidence to your application that you feel is relevant. This can include testimonials, mentor or university staff feedback or evaluations or any other appropriate evidence.

Please note: You must be a final-year nursing associate trainee on a nursing associate training course in the UK or British Crown Dependency.

If you are shortlisted for this award, you will be invited to attend our offices to present to the judges. The shortlist will be informed of any changes to the final judging process.



Attending a higher education institution should be a rich and rewarding experience with many opportunities to engage with wider university life and bring about improvements for fellow students. This award seeks to recognise a student who has made an exceptional contribution to student affairs during their time at university. Examples include the improvement of their curriculum, facilities, wellbeing, environment, or rules and regulations, as well as enhancing the experience of fellow student nurses or midwives.
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What the judges are looking for?

An exceptional role model student who can demonstrate excellence in ONE or more of the following:

  • Campaigning to improve student experiences or rights while studying nursing or midwifery
  • Making a meaningful contribution to improving the student curriculum 
  • Working to enhance the environment in which students are taught 
  • Acting as an advocate for your peers to identify ways to positively influence university policy 
  • Contributing extra time and effort to bring about positive changes to the student experience

Please attach any supporting evidence to your application that you feel is relevant. This can include testimonials, student feedback or student/university evaluations or any other appropriate evidence.

Please note: This award is open to all students who are currently studying a nursing or midwifery course. You must be studying in the UK or a British Crown Dependency.

If you are shortlisted for this award, you will be invited to attend our offices to present to the judges. The shortlist will be informed of any changes to the final judging process.


Practice supervisors have the potential to shape, motivate and inspire student nurses and midwives. Good supervisors demonstrate empathy with their student, adapting their coaching methods to suit the individual, and provide an environment that encourages questions, informed debate and learning.

This award recognises their important mentoring role in the education of student nurses and midwives. It is open to any registered nurse who is a practice supervisor working in acute, community, NHS or private settings mentoring students on placement, and who supervises one or more students.
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What the judges are looking for?

An exceptional practice supervisor who demonstrates excellence in the following:

  • Supporting the development of relevant skills and ensuring their students appreciate the relevance and value of these skills 
  • Emotional and practical support, offering students time for reflection as well as time to perfect required skills 
  • Interpersonal and communication skills enabling them to give students comprehensive feedback and the opportunity to learn from their mistakes and develop 
  • Innovative ‘hands-on’ teaching skills to ensure students are given the chance to put into practice what they have learnt in the classroom 
  • Ability to tailor the learning process to meet the needs of particular students 
  • Emphasis on developing and upholding professionalism of nurses and/or midwives, ensuring students understand and adhere to the Nursing and Midwifery Council’s Code 
  • Acting as a role model for nurses and midwives 
  • A positive attitude that inspires and enthuses students

Please attach any relevant supporting evidence to your application. This can include testimonials, student feedback or student evaluations or any other appropriate evidence.

Please note: This award is open to practice supervisors who have been supporting student(s) for at least 12 months.

If you are shortlisted for this award, you will be invited to attend our offices to present to the judges. The shortlist will be informed of any changes to the final judging process.


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While students are learning and observing, they can also bring about positive change themselves. This award seeks to recognise a student who has made an exceptional contribution to their placement by inspiring, leading or carrying out an innovative project.

This project could lead to improvements in the care of patients or service users through better experience or outcomes. Likewise, it could help support other students or improve the wellbeing of staff, so they are better enabled to provide high-quality care, or improve the effectiveness or efficiency of service delivery.

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What the judges are looking for?

An exceptional role model student who can demonstrate excellence in ONE or more of the following:

  • Gaining feedback from patients and service users to better understand how the service might need to adapt to their needs
  • Making a meaningful contribution to improving the practice environment for staff and/or patients or service users 
  • Acting as an advocate for patients/service users/staff 
  • Demonstrating leadership in inspiring others to bring about the change
  • Contributing extra time and effort to bring about changes in the practice environment 
  • Demonstrating commitment to ensuring the innovation is sustainable beyond the student’s time in placement

Please attach any relevant supporting evidence to your application. This can include testimonials from staff on placement or academic staff, student feedback or student evaluations or any other appropriate evidence.

Please note: This award is open to all students who are currently studying a pre-registration nursing or midwifery course. You must be studying in the UK or a British Crown Dependency.

If you are shortlisted for this award, you will be invited to attend our offices to present to the judges. The shortlist will be informed of any changes to the final judging process.


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One of our headline student of the year categories, the winner will join a select group of standout individuals. This award aims to recognise an outstanding student midwife and to celebrate the understanding and communication skills needed in this field – from clinical skills to academic achievement, as well as interpersonal skills, which underpin the treatment of this patient group and relate to their families.

In essence, entrants must combine the knowledge, skills and qualities required to excel. As a final-year student about to enter a midwifery career, the winner will have a broad understanding of the range of conditions and contraindications related to midwifery care and will demonstrate excellent clinical skills to ensure best is delivered at all times throughout antenatal, birth and postnatal care.

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What the judges are looking for?

An exceptional final-year student who can demonstrate excellence in the following:

  • Knowledge of and competence in clinical skills related to antenatal, birth and postnatal care 
  • Understanding of the rationale behind evidence-based practice, treatment choices and care pathways in midwifery care 
  • Interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to use them with women, their partners and wider families 
  • An ability to act with compassion and empathy 
  • Active listening, responding and personalising care to meet patients’ needs 
  • Academic achievement 
  • The ability to empathise and understand the needs of partners and commitment to meeting these needs 
  • Acting as a role model for student midwifery 
  • Team playing and an appreciation of midwives’ role within the wider multidisciplinary team 
  • Use of reflection and the confidence to question practice even if they may challenge others

Please attach any relevant supporting evidence to your application. This can include testimonials, mentor or university staff feedback or student evaluations or any other appropriate evidence.

Please note: You must be a final-year student on a pre-registration midwifery course, or on a post-registration midwifery course. You must be studying in the UK or a British Crown Dependency.

If you are shortlisted for this award, you will be invited to attend our offices to present to the judges. The shortlist will be informed of any changes to the final judging process.


Sponsored by:

One of our headline student of the year categories, the winner will join a select group of standout individuals. This award aims to recognise an outstanding final-year student and to celebrate the breadth of learning needed to join this branch of the profession – from clinical skills to academic achievement, which underpin the treatment of all patients.

In essence, entrants must combine the knowledge, skills and qualities required to excel. As a nurse entering adult nursing, the winner will have a broad understanding of a range of conditions and treatments, and demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the nursing profession and its responsibilities.

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What the judges are looking for?

An exceptional final-year student nurse who can demonstrate excellence in the following:

  • Knowledge of and competence in clinical skills 
  • Understanding of the rationale behind evidence-based practice, treatment choices and care pathways 
  • Interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to use them with patients, families and carers 
  • An ability to act with compassion and empathy 
  • Active listening, responding and personalising care to meet patients’ needs
  • Academic achievement 
  • Acting as a role model for student nursing 
  • Team playing and an appreciation of the role nursing within the wider multidisciplinary team 
  • Use of reflection and the confidence to question practice even if they may challenge others

Please attach any relevant supporting evidence to your application. This can include testimonials, mentor or university staff feedback or student evaluations or any other appropriate evidence.

Please note: You must be a final-year student on an adult nursing pre-registration course. You must be studying in the UK or a British Crown Dependency.

If you are shortlisted for this award, you will be invited to attend our offices to present to the judges. The shortlist will be informed of any changes to the final judging process.


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One of our headline student of the year categories, the winner will join a select group of standout individuals. This award aims to recognise and acknowledge the excellent communication skills as well as good clinical knowledge needed to care for this distinct group of patients.

We are looking for a final-year student nurse who can advocate for children and young people undergoing acute treatment or with long-term conditions, and their parents or carers. Entrants should be able to demonstrate a high level of nursing knowledge and a special set of skills to help them win the trust of this patient group.

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What the judges are looking for?

An exceptional final-year student who can demonstrate excellence in the following:

  • Developing trusting relationships with children and adolescents 
  • Knowledge of and competence in clinical skills 
  • Understanding of the rationale behind evidence-based practice, treatment choices and care pathways 
  • Interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to use them with patients, families and carers 
  • An ability to act with compassion and empathy 
  • Active listening, responding and personalising care to meet patients’ needs 
  • Academic achievement 
  • Acting as a role model for student nursing 
  • Team playing and an appreciation of the role of nursing within the wider multidisciplinary team 
  • Use of reflection and the confidence to question practice even if they may challenge others

Please attach any relevant supporting evidence to your application. This can include testimonials, mentor or university staff feedback or student evaluations or any other appropriate evidence.

Please note: You must be a final-year student on a children’s nursing pre-registration course. You must be studying in the UK or a British Crown Dependency.

If you are shortlisted for this award, you will be invited to attend our offices to present to the judges. The shortlist will be informed of any changes to the final judging process.


Clinical research nursing is an important and rapidly growing specialty, which promotes and develops the vital role of nurses and midwives in the delivery of high-quality clinical research. Ensuring a vibrant clinical research culture throughout the health and social care system is essential to finding new and innovative solutions to health and care needs.

This award aims to recognise and acknowledge a student nurse or midwife who has shown themselves to be a true advocate for clinical research, for example, by promoting it to their peers through their experience or raising the profile of clinical research placements through positive impacts. The category is open to entries from pre-registration student nurses and midwives from both the health and social care sector. Placement providers may also nominate candidates.
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What the judges are looking for?

An exceptional student entrant or nominee who can demonstrate excellence in areas such as the following:

  • Improving awareness and understanding of clinical research nursing, by actively promoting the relationship between high-quality care and research outcomes 
  • Leadership by sharing experiences of best clinical research nursing practice 
  • Connecting with colleagues to network best practice, using a wide variety of media 
  • A passion for nursing research by dynamically engaging in research-related activities and acting as a role model for other students 
  • Excellent understanding of the concepts of clinical research nursing appropriate for undergraduate level

Please attach any relevant supporting evidence to your application. This can include testimonials, mentor or university staff feedback or student evaluations or any other appropriate evidence.

Please note: You must be a final-year student on a pre-registration nursing or midwifery course, or on a post-registration midwifery or nursing course. You must be studying in the UK or a British Crown Dependency.

If you are shortlisted for this award, you will be invited to attend our offices to present to the judges. The shortlist will be informed of any changes to the final judging process.


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One of our headline student of the year categories, the winner will join a select group of standout individuals. This award aims to recognise and celebrate the unique nature of learning disabilities nursing, in which the focus is on encouraging this client group to participate in society and to promote and maintain health and wellbeing.

The winner will be able to demonstrate the interpersonal skills required of nurses who enter this sector, and the ability to work with this client group in a way that enables them to maximise their independence, and respects their right to self-determination.

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What the judges are looking for?

An exceptional final-year student who can demonstrate excellence in the following:

  • Promoting and enabling social inclusion 
  • Reducing health inequalities 
  • Understanding of complex multi-agency relationships and partnership working 
  • Interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to use them with clients, families and carers 
  • An ability to act with compassion and empathy 
  • Active listening, responding and personalising care to meet clients’ needs 
  • Academic achievement 
  • Acting as a role model for student nursing 
  • Team playing and an appreciation of the role of nursing within the wider multidisciplinary team 
  • Use of reflection and the confidence to question practice even if they may challenge others;
  • Understanding of the rationale behind evidence-based practice, treatment choices and care pathways

Please attach any relevant supporting evidence to your application. This can include testimonials, mentor or university staff feedback or student evaluations or any other appropriate evidence.

Please note: You must be a final-year student on a learning disabilities nursing pre-registration course. You must be studying in the UK or a British Crown Dependency.

If you are shortlisted for this award, you will be invited to attend our offices to present to the judges. The shortlist will be informed of any changes to the final judging process.


One of our headline student of the year categories, the winner will join a select group of standout individuals. This award celebrates the skills that mental health student nurses need to develop to nurse this often hard-to-reach and excluded group of people. The judges will be looking for an outstanding final-year student who offers excellent care and support to this group in treating or helping them to manage their mental health problems.
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What the judges are looking for?

An exceptional final-year student who can demonstrate excellence in the following:

  • Interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to use them with service users/clients, and their families and carers 
  • An ability to act with compassion and empathy 
  • Active listening, responding and personalising care to meet service users’/clients’ needs 
  • Promoting and enabling social inclusion 
  • Academic achievement 
  • Acting as a role model for student nursing 
  • Team playing and an appreciation of the role of nursing within the multidisciplinary team 
  • Use of reflection and the confidence to question practice even if they may challenge others 
  • Understanding of the rationale behind evidence-based practice, treatment choices and care pathways

Please attach any relevant supporting evidence to your application. This can include testimonials, mentor or university staff feedback or student evaluations or any other appropriate evidence.

Please note: You must be a final-year student on a mental health nursing pre-registration course. You must be studying in the UK or a British Crown Dependency.

If you are shortlisted for this award, you will be invited to attend our offices to present to the judges. The shortlist will be informed of any changes to the final judging process.


Excellent teaching is the foundation on which future generations of nurses and midwives are built. This award is for teachers, lecturers and educators at higher education institutions who inspire, enthuse and motivate their students and, in so doing, further their quest for knowledge and understanding. It is for those who stand out from the crowd and truly shine for their students.
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What the judges are looking for

An exceptional university educator who can demonstrate excellence in:

  • Bringing to life the importance of the role of the nurse and/or midwife
  • Engendering a sense of pride in their students’ chosen profession
  • Teaching clinical subjects with a flair for fostering links between theory and practice 
  • Interpersonal and communication skills 
  • Coaching, mentorship and emotional support for students 
  • Continuing innovation to improve students’ learning experience
  • Helping student nurses and midwives achieve their potential, with documentation providing evidence of student results

Please attach any relevant supporting evidence to your application. This can include student feedback, student evaluations or testimonials where applicable or any other evidence. Be aware that testimonial evidence while important is not all that is expected in your submission.

Examples of evidence:

  • Testimonial from university or faculty leadership demonstrating support for your nomination
  • Testimonial from colleagues who have knowledge of your skills and/or have benefitted from your role modelling 
  • Testimonial from students who have benefitted from your approaches to teaching and learning, mentorship, coaching or other support
  • Evidence of evaluation of your teaching and leadership skills which might include student evaluation, attainment data, evidence of changes university or faculty policy and practices 
  • Evidence of student achievements outside of assessed work, for example, opportunities taken to participate in local or national projects and schemes that support development 
  • Evidence of supporting the development of social capital, confidence, and leadership skills in students 
  • Evidence of dissemination via publication, conference presentation or public engagement activities.

Please note: This award is open to university educators teaching full-time or part-time pre-registration or post-registration nursing and/or midwifery courses, who will have been teaching for more than two years prior to their submission. Teaching experience does not have to have been in the same institution. Educators from other institutions with degree-awarding powers may also enter this category.

If you are shortlisted for this award, you will be invited to attend our offices to present to the judges. The shortlist will be informed of any changes to the final judging process.




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Organisation 

Retaining students on their courses until graduation is vital to the future supply of nurses and midwives. This award seeks to recognise universities and higher education providers that emphasise giving students the best possible overall experience.

This key focus ensures students are supported in a learning community that is nurturing of the whole person as well as being conducive to encouraging excellence in learning and sharing best practice. Student experience has never felt more important as the education sector continues to catch up due to the pandemic and people have more choice than ever before about where and how they study.
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What the judges are looking for?

  • An outstanding educational institution offering nursing or midwifery education that demonstrates excellence and employs motivational and inspiring teaching staff 
  • Phenomenal resources and teaching environment, including simulation laboratories and equipment 
  • An emphasis on academic achievement and hands-on clinical skills and people skills 
  • Development of vital strengths and traits for those entering the profession – such as compassion and the ability to challenge 
  • Superb relationships with local placement providers to ensure a well-rounded and well-executed experience on placement 
  • Well-respected and well-used cohort and peer support groups to help assist and coach students through their course 
  • Evidence of students being enabled to influence the programme for the benefit of their cohort and those in future 
  • Superb university facilities to support busy student lives 
  • Good standard of living accommodation
  • Good student union and opportunities for social interaction
  • Varied extracurricular activities including on site facilities and online activities 
  • Positive learning community that makes students feel part of the institution 
  • Ability to view students as a whole and offer support and welfare where needed 
  • An institution that communicates its ethos and encourages integration into student life 
  • An environment that makes students feel safe and secure 
  • Offers facilities that are accessible and flexible to the needs of individual students 
  • Helps students to grow as people as well as to succeed academically

Please attach any supporting evidence to your application that you feel is relevant. This can include testimonials, student feedback or student evaluations or any other appropriate evidence.

If you are shortlisted for this award, you will be invited to attend our offices to present to the judges. The shortlist will be informed of any changes to the final judging process.


Continuing education and professional development are essential for nurses and midwives to progress and prosper once they are registered.

This awards category is designed to recognise the higher education institutions and health and care providers that offer the best courses to develop the leadership, management and clinical skills of registered nurses and midwives.

This award aims to shine a light on those institutions and providers that are offering a broad portfolio of courses, which are both highly relevant to nurses and midwives and also highly rated by them.

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What the judges are looking for?

An outstanding institution or provider demonstrating excellence in:

  • Offering an educational environment that nurtures and develops talent 
  • Recruiting talented teaching staff who inspire, enthuse and motivate as well as educate
  • Providing resources that give students scope to consolidate their academic training 
  • Developing teaching methods that enrich the learning experience and deepen understanding 
  • Providing emotional and practical support for students during their course of study through guidance and coaching 
  • Developing and upholding the professionalism of nurses and midwives 
  • Nurturing academic achievements, practical skills and interpersonal and communication qualities 
  • Providing career advice and practical guidance

Please attach any supporting evidence to your application that you feel is relevant. This can include testimonials, student feedback or student evaluations or any other appropriate evidence. Be aware that testimonial evidence while important is not all that is expected in your submission.

Examples of evidence:

  • Testimonial from learners who have benefitted from your approaches to teaching and learning, mentorship, coaching or other support 
  • Evidence of evaluation of your teaching and leadership skills which might include evaluation, attainment data, evidence of changes to policy and practices 
  • Evidence of learner achievements outside of assessed work, for example, opportunities taken to participate in local or national projects and schemes that support development 
  • Evidence of supporting the development of social capital, confidence, and leadership skills 
  • Evidence of dissemination via publication, conference presentation or public engagement

Please note: We strongly recommend sending videos and photographs to bring your learning environment to life.

If you are shortlisted for this award, you will be invited to attend our offices to present to the judges. The shortlist will be informed of any changes to the final judging process.



Students are the future of the profession. Teaching and supporting them through the pre-registration period to final graduation is the vital role of higher education institutions. This award recognises those universities and other institutions that stand out from the crowd because of the high standards of academic and practical teaching that they provide to their student nurses and midwives, as well as the excellent resources on offer to inspire them and nurture their development.

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What the judges are looking for?

An outstanding higher education institution offering a nursing or midwifery course or courses that demonstrates excellence in:

  • Offering an educational environment that nurtures and develops the talent of student nurses and midwives 
  • Recruiting talented teaching staff who inspire, enthuse and motivate as well as educate 
  • Providing resources that give students scope to consolidate their academic training 
  • Developing teaching methods that enrich the learning experience and deepen understanding 
  • Providing emotional and practical support for students during their course of study through guidance and coaching 
  • Developing and upholding the professionalism of nurses and midwives
  • Nurturing academic achievements, practical skills and interpersonal and communication qualities 
  • Providing career advice and practical guidance

Please attach any supporting evidence to your application that you feel is relevant. This can include testimonials, student feedback or student evaluations or any other appropriate evidence. Be aware that testimonial evidence while important is not all that is expected in your submission.

Examples of evidence:

  • Testimonial from students who have benefitted from your approaches to teaching and learning, mentorship, coaching or other support 
  • Evidence of evaluation of your teaching and leadership skills which might include student evaluation, attainment data, evidence of changes to policy and practices 
  • Evidence of student achievements outside of assessed work, for example, opportunities taken to participate in local or national projects and schemes that support development 
  • Evidence of supporting the development of social capital, confidence, and leadership skills in students 
  • Evidence of dissemination via publication, conference presentation or public engagement

Please note: We strongly recommend sending videos and photographs to bring your learning environment to life.

If you are shortlisted for this award, you will be invited to attend our offices to present to the judges. The shortlist will be informed of any changes to the final judging process.


Nursing associates are the new role that is fast becoming established in the NHS in England, which bridges the gap between healthcare support workers and registered nurses. Training those seeking to join the ranks of this new role is key to its ongoing and future success. This award recognises those universities and health and care providers that offer high standards of training, and excellent resources that inspire their nursing associate trainees and nurture their development.

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What the judges are looking for

Outstanding organisations offering a nursing associate training programme that demonstrates excellence in:

  • Offering an environment that nurtures and develops the talents of nursing associates 
  • Recruiting talented staff who inspire, enthuse and motivate as well as educate
  • Providing resources that give students scope to consolidate their learning
  • Teaching methods that enrich the learning experience and deepen understanding 
  • Providing emotional and practical support for students during their programme 
  • Developing and upholding the professionalism of nursing associates 
  • Nurturing educational achievements, practical skills and interpersonal and communication qualities 
  • Providing career advice and practical guidance.

Please attach any supporting evidence to your application that you feel is relevant. This can include testimonials, student feedback or student evaluations or any other appropriate evidence.

Please note: We strongly recommend sending videos and photographs to bring your environment to life.

If you are shortlisted for this award, you will be invited to attend our offices to present to the judges. The shortlist will be informed of any changes to the final judging process.



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Partnerships are a powerful way for organisations to bring about improvements, innovations and expanded opportunities for the benefit of their students. This award seeks to recognise the important collaboration between higher educational institutions and organisations providing health and care to the public with a view to providing a conducive learning environment.

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What the judges are looking for?

An exceptional collaboration that demonstrates excellence in the following:

  • Providing students with a deeper understanding of what will be required in practice 
  • Collaborating in curricula planning and delivery 
  • Enriching learning experiences so students appreciate some of the wider issues involved in delivering care 
  • Enabling students to apply their academic learning in real-life practice situations 
  • Building in time for students to be properly supported from their placement and academic environments, scheduling time for reflection and practising relevant skills in both places 
  • Using innovative ‘hands-on’ teaching skills to ensure students are given the chance to put into practice what they have learnt in the classroom 
  • Co-ordinating learning experiences to create a cohesive student experience that maximises learning opportunities 
  • Creating a culture that inspires, enthuses and motivates students about their chosen profession 
  • Partnership working that reflects respect, equality, sustainability and a shared vision for quality healthcare delivery

Please attach any relevant supporting evidence to your application. This can include testimonials, student feedback or student evaluations or any other appropriate evidence.

Please note: This award is open to any provider of pre-registration or post-registration nursing or midwifery education, and the NHS or independent organisation/charity they work with. It is open to joint entries – either party can enter on behalf of both parties, but the entry must be endorsed by both parties.

If you are shortlisted for this award, you will be invited to attend our offices to present to the judges. The shortlist will be informed of any changes to the final judging process.


Clinical placements are one of the most exhilarating but also challenging parts of a student nurse’s educational experience. This award category seeks to recognise community settings that go the extra mile to manage the anxieties associated with going on placement by providing a structured learning environment that helps students to develop and flourish.

This includes clearly setting out what students will be exposed to during their time on placement, and ensuring they are supported to learn, practise skills and gain knowledge from those around them with more experience.
This item is not available

What the judges are looking for?

An exceptional environment that demonstrates excellence in:

  • Making time for students to be properly supported throughout their placement, scheduling time for reflection and practising relevant skills
  • Providing both emotional and practical support from the management team as well as from the mentor 
  • Integrating student nurses or midwives into the team, using their supernumerary status to ensure they gain valuable and valid learning experiences during their time on placement 
  • Using innovative ‘hands-on’ teaching skills to ensure students have the chance to put into practice what they have learnt in the classroom 
  • Tailoring the learning process to meet the needs of particular students, as well as conditions during the pandemic 
  • Developing and upholding the professionalism of nurses, ensuring students understand and adhere to the NMC Code 
  • Exhibiting a culture that inspires, enthuses and motivates students, with positive attitudes throughout the team 
  • Offering advice and guidance to protect and ensure safety of student nurses and midwives at work

Please attach any relevant supporting evidence to your application. This can include testimonials, student feedback or student evaluations or any other appropriate evidence.

Please note: This award is open to any NHS or independent organisation that accepts nursing or midwifery student(s) on placement. It is open to any organisation, practice, clinic or unit offering health services in the community.

If you are shortlisted for this award, you will be invited to attend our offices to present to the judges. The shortlist will be informed of any changes to the final judging process.


Clinical placements are one of the most exhilarating but also challenging parts of a student nurse’s educational experience. This award category seeks to recognise the wards and hospital settings that go the mile to manage the anxieties associated with going on placement by providing a structured learning environment that helps students to develop and flourish.

This includes clearly setting out what students will be exposed to during their time at the hospital, and ensuring they are supported to learn, practise skills and gain knowledge from those around them with more experience.
This item is not available

What the judges are looking for?

An exceptional hospital-based environment that demonstrates excellence in:

  • Making time for students to be properly supported throughout their placement, scheduling time for reflection and practising relevant skills
  • Providing both emotional and practical support from the management team as well as from the mentor
  • Integrating student nurses or midwives into the team, using their supernumerary status to ensure they gain valuable learning experiences during their time on placement 
  • Using innovative ‘hands-on’ teaching skills to ensure students have the chance to put into practice what they have learnt in the classroom 
  • Tailoring the learning process to meet the needs of particular students, as well as conditions during the pandemic 
  • Developing and upholding the professionalism of nurses, ensuring students understand and adhere to the NMC Code 
  • Exhibiting a culture that inspires, enthuses and motivates students, with positive attitudes throughout the team 
  • Offering advice and guidance to protect and ensure safety of student nurses and midwives at work.

Please attach any relevant supporting evidence to your application. This can include testimonials, student feedback or student evaluations or any other appropriate evidence.

Please note: This award is open to any NHS or independent hospital-based environment that accepts nursing or midwifery student(s) on placement. It is open to any organisation, hospital or specific ward or unit.

If you are shortlisted for this award, you will be invited to attend our offices to present to the judges. The shortlist will be informed of any changes to the final judging process.



Sponsored by:

Offering an innovative teaching environment helps attract and retain the best students. In an increasingly competitive academic and recruitment landscape, universities and placement providers are adapting traditional methods or developing new ones to offer interesting and engaging ways of learning.

This includes the legacy of the pandemic, which saw use of technology significantly increase, for example, through virtual placements. This award category is about highlighting innovative teaching methods that are workable, successful and potentially sustainable, such as use of social networking, modern communication media or new technology.
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What the judges are looking for?

  • A novel idea that has been introduced at some point over the last 12 months that helps student nurses or midwives improve their understanding of academic subjects or clinical skills in a healthcare setting by a healthcare provider or by a university
  • Proof of the popularity and success of the innovation 
  • Evidence that it enriches learning and improves standards of teaching 
  • Demonstration that the idea is potentially sustainable

Please attach any relevant supporting evidence to your application. This can include testimonials, student feedback or student evaluations or any other appropriate evidence.

We strongly recommend sending videos and photographs to bring your environment to life. Please provide any evidence of dissemination of the idea if relevant.

Please note: This award is open to entries from any provider of placements for students or any university. It is open to innovations introduced on any nursing or midwifery course of any size and at any stage over the past 12 months.

If you are shortlisted for this award, you will be invited to attend our offices to present to the judges on. The shortlist will be informed of any changes to the final judging process.